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Last update: January, 21 2021

Ireland

flag of Ireland
Government
NameIreland
IrishÉire
Government typeParliamentary republic
CapitalDublin (1,173,179 (2016))
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
People
Population (2020)4,937,796 (124th)
Density of population70 P/km2 (113th)
NationalityIrish
Official languages
English
Irish
Ethnic groups (2016)
Irish82.2%
Irish travelers0.7%
Other white9.5%
Asian2.1%
Black1.4%
Other1.5%
Unspecified2.6%
Religions (2016)
Roman Catholic78.3%
Church of Ireland2.7%
Other Christian1.6%
Orthodox1.3%
Muslim1.3%
Other2.4%
None9.8%
Unspecified2.6%
Life expectancy (2020)
Male78.9 years
Female83.7 years
Total population81.2 years (36st)
Homicides
Total (2018)0.9 per 100,000 people (148th)
Geography
Land area68,883 km2
water area1,390 km2
total area70,273 km2 (121st)
Mean elevation118 m
Lowest point
Atlantic Ocean0 m
Highest point
Carrauntoohil1,041 m
Land use (2011)
Agricultural land66.1%
Arable land15.4%
Permanent crops0%
Permanent pasture50.7%
Forest10.9%
Other23%
Urbanization
Urban population (2020)63.7%
Rate of urbanization1.14% annual rate of change (2015 – 2020)
Economy
Labor force (2017)2.226 million  (122nd)
Labor force by occupation (2015)
Agriculture5%
Industry11%
Services 84%
Unemployment rate (2017)6.7% (100th)
GDP (PPP) (estimate 2019)
Total$412.797 billion (46th)
Per capita$86,988(4th)
GDP (nominal) (estimate 2019)
Total$384.940 billion (32nd)
Per capita$77,771 (4th)
GDP by sector (estimate 2017)
Agriculture1.2%
Industry38.6%
Services60.2%
Exports (2017)$219.7 billion (25th)
Exports partners (2017)
US27.1%
UK13.4%
Belgium11%
Germany8.1%
Switzerland5.1%
Netherlands4.9%
France4.3%
Imports (2017)$98.13 billion (34h)
Imports partners (2017)
UK29%
US18.9%
France12.1%
Germany9.6%
Netherlands4.1%

Ireland on the world map

Ireland on the world map

Ireland top 10 largest cities (2016)

  1. Dublin (1,173,179)
  2. Cork (208,669)
  3. Limerick (94,192)
  4. Galway (79,934)
  5. Waterford (53,504)
  6. Drogheda (40,956)
  7. Swords (39,248)
  8. Dundalk (39,004)
  9. Bray (32,600)
  10. Navan (30,173)

Demography

Population pyramid

population pyramid of Ireland (2020)

Age structure data

Estimate for 2020:

  • 0-14 years: 21.15% (male 560,338/female 534,570)
  • 15-24 years: 12.08% (male 316,239/female 308,872)
  • 25-54 years: 42.19% (male 1,098,058/female 1,085,794)
  • 55-64 years: 10.77% (male 278,836/female 278,498)
  • 65 years and over: 13.82% (male 331,772/female 383,592)

Remark: the age structure of a population affects a nation’s key socioeconomic issues. Countries with young populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage ages 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. The age structure can also be used to help predict potential political issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population unable to find employment can lead to unrest.

Population from 1950 to 2020

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Source: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2019). World Population Prospects 2019, Online Edition. Rev. 1.


Evolution of the life expectancy from 1960 to 2018

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Source: World Development Indicators, The World Bank

Economy

Agriculture:

barley, potatoes, wheat, beef, dairy products

Industries:

pharmaceuticals, chemicals, computer hardware and software, food products, beverages and brewing, medical devices

Exports – commodities:

machinery and equipment, computers, chemicals, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, animal products

Imports – commodities:

data processing equipment, other machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products, textiles, clothing

Time zone and current time in Ireland

Go to our interactive map to get the current time in Ireland

Sources: